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Leveson Inquiry: Press relations unhealthy, says Tony Blair Leveson Inquiry: Tony Blair defends Murdoch friendship
(about 1 hour later)
An "unhealthy" relationship has evolved between the press and politicians, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Leveson Inquiry. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has defended his friendship with Rupert Murdoch, saying it was "a working relationship" until he left office.
But he told the media ethics hearing close interaction between politicians and newspapers was inevitable. Mr Blair told the Leveson Inquiry he had not changed any policies to please the newspapers owned by Murdoch.
Mr Blair also said his family faced intense pressure from the press, which he called "unnecessary and wrong". He added he would not have become godfather to one of Murdoch's children based on their relationship in office.
Earlier, a protester had to be ejected after getting into the court and calling Mr Blair a "war criminal".Earlier, a protester had to be ejected after getting into the court and calling Mr Blair a "war criminal".
'Unhealthy, not cosy'
The inquiry is investigating press standards, and currently focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians.The inquiry is investigating press standards, and currently focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians.
Mr Blair said it would be strange if senior media people and senior politicians did not have an interaction. "It was a relationship about power," said Mr Blair. "I find these relationships are not personal; they are working [relationships], to me."
He added: "Despite all this stuff about me being godfather to one of his children. I would not have been godfather to one of his children on the basis of my relationship in office.
"After I left office I got to know him. Now it's different. It's not the same."
Close interaction
Mr Blair admitted he had "flown halfway round the world" to Hayman Island, Australia, to meet Mr Murdoch and News Corporation executives when he was Labour leader in 1995.
He said he wanted to persuade the organisation against "tearing us to pieces".
Mr Blair said a close relationship was inevitable but also involved a "certain level of tension".
"If you look back over time there's nothing wrong and indeed it would, it would be strange frankly if senior people in the media and senior politicians didn't have that close interaction," he said.
Mr Blair told the inquiry that at its best British journalism was the best in the world. The former PM said the views of the press on issues ranging from the trade unions to Europe had not affected his approach.
But he said the word "unhealthy" rather than "cosy" was a better description of the relationship in some cases. "I don't know a policy that we changed as a result of Rupert Murdoch," he said.
In fact the strongest lobbying he had received from a media organisation during his time in office was from the BBC over the licence fee, he told the hearing.
Mr Blair told the inquiry that, at its best, British journalism was the best in the world.
But he said the word "unhealthy" rather than "cosy" was a better description of the relationship in some cases between journalists and those in power.
He told the inquiry: "It's almost impossible now, even now, to dispute this issue to do with so-called 'spin'.He told the inquiry: "It's almost impossible now, even now, to dispute this issue to do with so-called 'spin'.
"I can't believe we are the first and only government that has ever wanted to put the best possible gloss on what we're doing, that is a completely different thing to saying that you go out to say things that are deliberately untrue.""I can't believe we are the first and only government that has ever wanted to put the best possible gloss on what we're doing, that is a completely different thing to saying that you go out to say things that are deliberately untrue."
Counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC asked Mr Blair why he had not taken on the media.
He responded that this would have provoked a major confrontation and he had not wanted that to detract from other policy goals.
Cherie actionCherie action
Mr Blair made a range of points in his evidence, including:Mr Blair made a range of points in his evidence, including:
  • The Sun and the Daily Mail were the two most powerful newspapers. The Sun was important because it was prepared to shift its political allegiance
  • His government had decided more things against the interests of Rupert Murdoch than for them
  • It was important to get the Sun "on board" and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks mattered because she was editor at the time. But the decision-maker was Mr Murdoch not Mrs Brooks
  • His friendship with Mr Murdoch was a working relationship until after he left office and he would never have become the godfather of Mr Murdoch's daughter before then
  • He defended decision to send Rebekah Brooks a message of support after the phone hacking scandal erupted as he was "not a fair weather friend"
  • Mr Blair revealed his wife Cherie had taken or considered legal action about press coverage on more than 30 occasions.
  • He said a certain amount of comment was "perfectly legitimate" but some of the papers, particularly the Daily Mail, "took it too far and it turned into a personal vendetta"
  • He said some sections of the media "say 'right, we are going to go for that person'", adding: "That's not journalism. In my view it's an abuse of power".
  • He had not taken on the media as it would have provoked a major confrontation and he had not wanted that to detract from other policy goals.
  • The Sun and the Daily Mail were the two most powerful newspapers. The Sun was important because it was prepared to shift its political allegiance
  • It was important to get the Sun "on board" and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks mattered because she was editor at the time. But the decision-maker was Mr Murdoch not Mrs Brooks
  • He defended his decision to send Rebekah Brooks a message of support after the phone hacking scandal erupted as he was "not a fair-weather friend"
  • Mr Blair revealed his wife Cherie had taken or considered legal action about press coverage on more than 30 occasions.
  • He said a certain amount of comment was "perfectly legitimate" but some of the papers, particularly the Daily Mail, "took it too far and it turned into a personal vendetta" He said some sections of the media "say 'right, we are going to go for that person'", adding: "That's not journalism. In my view it's an abuse of power".
Mr Jay asked if the 2003 Communications Act had reflected some sort of "implied agreement" with the Murdochs. Proceedings were interrupted for around 20 seconds during Monday morning's session when the protester, who told reporters his name was David Lawley-Wakelin from the Alternative Iraq Enquiry, burst in.
Mr Blair replied: "No, absolutely not. For a start the thing thing we did, which was boost Ofcom, was the thing he absolutely disliked. Contrary to what's often written about this."
He said the strongest lobbying he remembered getting from media organisations during his time in office was from the BBC over the licence fee.
Protester arrested
Proceedings were interrupted for around 20 seconds during Monday morning's session when the protester, who told reporters his name was David Lawley Wakelin from the Alternative Iraq Enquiry, burst in.
Lord Justice Leveson apologised to Mr Blair and questioned how the man was able to enter the court through what should have been a secure corridor. The man was removed and an investigation was immediately ordered.Lord Justice Leveson apologised to Mr Blair and questioned how the man was able to enter the court through what should have been a secure corridor. The man was removed and an investigation was immediately ordered.
Mr Blair said on the record that there was no truth in the allegation, made by the protester, that he had been "paid off" by the US banking giant JP Morgan for the Iraq War.Mr Blair said on the record that there was no truth in the allegation, made by the protester, that he had been "paid off" by the US banking giant JP Morgan for the Iraq War.
The man was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace and is in custody at a central London police station.The man was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace and is in custody at a central London police station.
The former prime minister is the first of several senior politicians due to appear at the inquiry this week, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The former prime minister is the first of several senior politicians due to appear at the inquiry this week, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday.
He is under pressure over the way he handled News Corp's attempted takeover of BSkyB.He is under pressure over the way he handled News Corp's attempted takeover of BSkyB.